How to Choose Lingerie For Your Boudoir Photoshoot

You pulled the trigger and booked a boudoir session, now comes the real challenge. Deciding how to choose what boudoir lingerie you’re going to wear during your photoshoot. In the end, there’s no hard and fast answer on what the best boudoir photoshoot lingerie is. I mean, everyone is different, but I do have some tips to help you know if a piece of lingerie will photograph well. Ultimately, the best lingerie to choose is the one you feel beautiful in! It’s far less about brands and current trends and more about dressing for your body and personal preferences. If you feel good, you’re going to look good! Conversely, you’ll be able to tell when you look uncomfortable in images, and I never want that for you. So, let’s jump in and learn about how you can choose the right textures, colors, and styles of lingerie that are perfect for your up-and-coming boudoir photoshoot.

Textures in Lingerie Create Depth In Photos

Boudoir photoshoots are much less about the bra and underwear set you’re wearing and much more about creating texture with the materials and lingerie. We don’t want to create a scene where you get lost amongst all the other “stuff” in the frame. You can do that by being selective about your styling choices. A simple set can be stunning when we layer several different textures that create visual depth. So what does that mean? Bring in the textures! If we have a fluffy blanket, some lace, your skin texture, and some jewelry with metallic accents, we can create a beautiful harmony with just a few simple things. You’ll stay the focus of the image and everything else is just a supporting player, making you the centerpiece.

Great pieces of lingerie to add texture to a boudoir photoshoot have either layers or laces. Layered sets (bra, underwear, garter belt, stockings) have enough components to create depth. Alternatively, you can look for contrasting textures (lace, different fabrics, embroidery, golden beads, silver buckles, etc). Personally, I think everyone should own at least one lace bodysuit that makes them feel like a boss! Plus, if styled correctly, this piece could even be reworn on a date night with jeans and heels! Some of my favorite bodysuits are by Thistle & Spire. They’re incredible works of art in themselves and feature embroidery on top of nude-colored mesh.

So, when looking for a piece of lingerie, consider something with a bit of texture. If you’re interested in a more sensual boudoir session, look for pieces that have lace or other beautiful accents that add texture. If lace isn’t your thing, consider layering different pieces and looking for lingerie with straps, buckles, or other accents that are more your style.

Straps Add Adjustability and Comfort to Boudoir Lingerie

Sometimes “busier” pieces with lots of straps can make for some beautiful boudoir images. In my experience as a boudoir photographer, thicker straps are better.

Thicker straps are best because they are:

• More likely to stay in place

• Less likely to dig in

• Easier to adjust

Thin straps are very difficult to adjust and often lead to some straps being too tight and some too loose.

A lot of lingerie claims to be “one size fits all” and that outdated mindset is why you feel like it doesn’t fit well (because it actually doesn’t). Thick, adjustable straps are great for tailoring the size to your body shape. You should feel your absolute best and that likely won’t happen if you feel trussed up like a turkey on Thanksgiving! So, if you like adjustability and comfort, be sure you choose a piece of lingerie for your boudoir photoshoot that has thick straps.

Colors That Pop Off In Your Boudoir Images

We tend to have our “comfort” colors; colors that we wear time and time again because we feel better in them than others. But, if variety is the spice of life, your lingerie should be no different! When you come to the studio for your boudoir shoot, consider bringing at least 3 different colored lingerie sets.

The best colors for boudoir lingerie, for a good variety of looks are:

• White

• Black

• And something bright!

White is great because it makes your skin have more color, even in the middle of January. It also matches well with sheer curtains and white furniture in a living room set, or is perfect if you’re getting married soon.

Black is the go-to for a sultry and classic boudoir look. Not to mention, pretty much everyone looks good and feels great in black! It doesn’t matter if you prefer a sweet lace black bra and underwear set or more of a fishnet and corset type lingerie, black won’t let you down. One of my boudoir favorite sets to shoot is black lingerie against a black background. It looks so high end and lets us use light to create endlessly gorgeous images.

The “bright color” lingerie is what throws people off the most, but it’s ok! It doesn’t have to be highlighter yellow, but should be something that helps you pop off a more neutral set. After all, you’re the star of this show so you need to show up!

Here are some color ideas for your boudoir photoshoot lingerie:

• Red is another classic lingerie color that grabs attention.

• Magenta is also vivid but a little more feminine and better suits those with red undertones.

• Bright blue is absolutely glowy and a great choice for those who love cooler tones.

• Emerald green is perfect for the Fall lovers (plus, I have a matching loveseat!).

Whatever you choose, make it an extension of your personality!

Have You Considered Less Is More?

Hear me out. I don’t know about you, but I don’t wear a ton of lingerie in my daily life. Maybe you do, and that’s amazing, but if you’re not used to it, it can feel intimidating and uncomfortable. Honestly, I feel like a lot of it is “too sexy” for me and that I would just look awkward. So I choose to wear what I feel best in.

Maybe you’re more comfortable in something other than lingerie. Why not try:

• A tanktop and boyshorts

• An oversized sweater

• Or perhaps, nothing at all!

Wait, did you say “nothing at all”? Yup, it can be exhilarating to step outside the box, and a LOT of people that do a boudoir session with me find out their favorite images are the ones they went a step beyond their comfort level. With all boudoir clients that come to my studio, we’ll have discussed your nudity comfort levels prior to the shoot and I’ll check in periodically. You should feel totally safe and at ease, and even full nudes in my studio are shot tastefully and kept totally private, just for you.

Maybe full nude isn’t something you’re comfortable with, but you like the idea. We can do a lot with implied nudes as well. If you’re not familiar with that term, it’s where you’re not actually nude, but it’s implied. One example may be that you have on pasties and a nude thong, and we pose you in a way that looks fully bare. If you’re comfortable with being nude in the studio, but don’t want images like that, you can create implied nudes by using your hands or strategic poses to cover certain areas. We actually had a client use her implied nudes as a book jacket cover headshot!

Start Shopping For Your Boudoir Photoshoot Lingerie

Now that you’ve learned about what to look for, it’s time to go shopping! Remember to look for textures or consider layering different pieces. Thick straps are better than thin, and bring a white, black, and bright colored lingerie set for a variety of gorgeous shots.

If you’re having difficulty picking out pieces, reach out! I have a wardrobe of stunning robes, silks, corsets, angel wings, and other accessories to help you put together a lingerie set that will make you feel like the queen you are in your boudoir photoshoot.

Fit Matters More Than the Label

The single most common wardrobe regret at a boudoir session is a piece that is one size too small. Underwear that digs in creates lines the camera exaggerates, and no amount of retouching restores the shape of the fabric.

Order your true size, or half a size up in anything with elastic, and try everything on at home well before your shoot day. A slightly loose piece drapes; a tight one bites.

How Many Looks Should You Bring?

Three to five is the sweet spot for a full session. A good spread is one classic set, one statement piece, one soft or sheer look, and something personal — an oversized shirt, a favourite jacket, a piece of jewellery that means something.

More than five and the session turns into a changing marathon. Fewer than three and the gallery starts to look repetitive.

Choosing Lingerie for Your Shape

There is no lingerie that only works on one body — but there are silhouettes that do more of the work for you. High-cut briefs lengthen the leg on almost everyone. A bodysuit creates one clean line from shoulder to hip. Anything with a defined waist seam draws the eye where most people want it.

If you are unsure, bring options and we will decide together on the day. Nothing is decided until you are in front of the mirror in the studio.

Lingerie for an Underwater Boudoir Session

Water changes the rules. Lace and light silk float and move beautifully; padded cups, heavy satin and anything with structure sink, cling and lose their shape.

For an underwater lingerie session, choose lightweight fabric with plenty of surface area, avoid pale nudes that disappear against the skin, and leave glitter and loose beading at home — they shed into the water and cannot be recovered.

Lingerie Photoshoot Questions

What colour lingerie photographs best? Deep jewel tones, black and true red read strongest. Pale nude tends to blend into the skin and lose definition.

Do I have to wear lingerie at all? No. Plenty of clients shoot in an oversized shirt, a robe, a bodysuit or a sheet. The session is about how you feel, not how little you wear.

Where should I shop? Anywhere with a generous return policy so you can try several sizes. Order early — shipping delays are the main reason clients arrive with fewer looks than planned.

Should I buy new lingerie for the shoot? Only if you want to. A piece you already love and feel confident in will always photograph better than something new and unfamiliar.